The morning sun filtered through the glass walls of Aurora Group's main lobby, reflecting off polished floors and glossy brochures. Alina Ross adjusted her blazer for the third time and glanced at her reflection in the elevator mirror. Today was going to be… complicated.
She wasn't wrong.
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A Forced Collaboration
The client's property tour was scheduled for the morning, and as luck would have it, Adrian Vale had been assigned alongside her once again.
Alina entered the conference room, clipboard in hand, already anticipating his arrival. She didn't have to wait long. The door opened sharply, and there he was — calm, composed, every inch the man who seemed to exist on a different plane of control.
"Ms. Ross," he greeted, tone neutral, though the slight raise of his eyebrow betrayed amusement.
"Mr. Vale," she replied curtly, straightening her posture. "Shall we review the itinerary?"
He smirked faintly. "Lead, I believe. I'll follow your direction."
Alina's heart did an annoying flutter at the tone of his voice, but she refused to let it show. "Very well."
---
Tensions Rise
As they walked through the property with the client, subtle competition arose immediately. Each offered suggestions, proposed improvements, and countered the other's ideas.
"Perhaps the lobby lighting could be warmer," Alina suggested.
"Warmer, yes," Adrian replied smoothly, "but it shouldn't sacrifice the sense of space. Natural light already complements it."
Alina's pulse quickened at his calm, unshakable logic. She clenched her clipboard, resisting the urge to argue — though internally, every instinct screamed at her to.
Sophie's earlier words echoed in her mind: "He's Adrian Vale. Watch your step."
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A Close Call
The client asked for a demonstration of the hotel's smart-room technology. As they entered a suite, Alina reached for the control panel, and Adrian's hand brushed hers.
The contact was brief, almost accidental. But Alina felt heat rush to her cheeks.
"Careful," he said softly, almost under his breath.
"I'm fine," she murmured, trying to focus on the technology rather than the way his voice seemed to vibrate near her ear.
He didn't comment further, just watched as she manipulated the controls. The silence between them was charged, a tension neither dared acknowledge.
---
The Assistants at Work
Sophie and Liam, observing from the lobby monitor, exchanged mischievous glances.
"She's trying not to melt," Sophie whispered.
"She's failing," Liam replied, barely holding back laughter.
They had both spent years being sidekicks to their bosses, yet they never got tired of nudging them into situations that highlighted every unspoken tension.
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A Strategic Move
Back in the lobby, the client asked for a joint presentation. Alina and Adrian had to coordinate seamlessly, standing side by side in front of the group.
Alina couldn't help but notice the slight shift of his stance, just enough that their shoulders brushed. She shifted back instinctively, feeling the flutter in her chest.
Adrian's gaze lingered a second longer than necessary, just enough that she caught it out of the corner of her eye. She knew he noticed her reaction — he always noticed.
Sophie and Liam exchanged silent high-fives through the monitor.
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Unspoken Words
Later, as they walked toward the elevator, the quiet between them was almost palpable. Neither spoke. Neither needed to.
Finally, Adrian broke the silence. "You handled that well."
Alina's stomach tightened. "Thank you. So did you."
"Flattery," he said, tone teasing, "isn't usually your style."
"Perhaps I'm evolving," she replied sharply, trying to hide the warmth creeping into her voice.
He smirked faintly, a spark of amusement in his eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
The Elevator Moment
The elevator ride back was tense. Every subtle movement, every accidental brush of hands, made Alina's heart race.
She stared at the panel, focusing on the floor numbers, while Adrian's calm presence loomed nearby.
"Do you always look so serious?" he asked, breaking the quiet, though his eyes betrayed a hint of amusement.
"Only when I'm not trying to ignore you," she shot back, voice low.
He blinked slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Alina felt heat rise in her cheeks. "Don't get used to it," she muttered.
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Private Reflection
Once back in her office, Alina sank into her chair, exhausted but restless. Her mind replayed every interaction — every brush of hands, every glance, every subtle tease.
She couldn't deny it anymore. Adrian Vale had begun to occupy space in her thoughts in a way that scared her. She had spent years controlling her emotions around him, hating him, outsmarting him. Yet now, one touch, one smile, and all of that control felt fragile.
Across the city, Adrian was having the same thoughts. The way she had reacted during the elevator ride, the subtle tension she carried, the sharpness in her retorts — it all lingered in his mind.
She's trying not to notice me. And I enjoy watching her try.
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End of the Day
Alina's phone buzzed — a message from Sophie.
> You're blushing again. Admit it.
Alina groaned, tossing her phone aside. She knew Sophie was right, but she wasn't ready to admit it — not to anyone.
Meanwhile, Adrian closed his laptop after reviewing the day's client notes. The thought of Alina's expressions, her brief flashes of vulnerability, kept replaying in his mind.
Neither of them realized it yet, but the "first incident" had changed everything. Their rivalry had softened into something far more complicated, far more… dangerous.
Because the unspoken things between them were growing, and neither wanted to confront them.
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M y C o u n t: ~9 2 6
Thank you for reading
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